New waterproof camera

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General Gps & Speed Waves Foiling Gear Reviews Lost & Found WA NSW QLD SA VIC TAS

Zed

1274 posts

Zed

WA, 1274 posts

22 Dec 2006 10:53am

I bought this last week

~~http://www.sports-cameras.com/extremetwo.shtml~~

It will be here hopefully next week. It's about the size of a sausage, tiny and produces pretty good quality video (not as good as dvd however). It's wireless and has a small receiver which records the video. The transmitting distance is around 500m which isn't great, but what I will do is get one of those waterproof bags that they use for walkie talkies and stick in my pocket. I guess I'll either attach it to my boom (clew end) or maybe top of mast? So should be good!

SurfConnect

QLD

1674 posts

SurfConnect

QLD, 1674 posts

22 Dec 2006 12:19pm

The cam looks sleek. You got any clips/pics u can post up mate so we can see the quality?

westozwind

1418 posts

westozwind

WA, 1418 posts

22 Dec 2006 11:43am

Join the club mate.
Ordered one last week. Looking forward to it's arrival.
You can mount this little guy anywhere. Mast, boom, helmet or board.

Zed

1274 posts

Zed

WA, 1274 posts

22 Dec 2006 11:46am

Nice one. Did u buy it on the net in the UK or did u find a supplier in Oz?

westozwind

1418 posts

westozwind

WA, 1418 posts

22 Dec 2006 11:48am

On the net from the UK.
Could not find anything like it in OZ.

Zed

1274 posts

Zed

WA, 1274 posts

22 Dec 2006 11:49am

Do you know what media it records onto? Is there a memory stick like u get in a still digital camera?

westozwind

1418 posts

westozwind

WA, 1418 posts

22 Dec 2006 11:52am

It's just a camera and receiver. You have to plug it into a recording device such as a video camera. The receiver output an av signal.
If you have a video camera with a av to dv converter then you can go straight to digital. Another way is with a digital recording device, but these are quite pricey and the resolution/frame rate is not that great.
About $600 will get you a video camera that will do the job.

Zed

1274 posts

Zed

WA, 1274 posts

22 Dec 2006 11:56am

Oh right. I was being a bit stupid thinking the receiver had some means of recording the video and I could carry the receiver with me. So I guess I'll need to keep it on the beach. The 500m wireless distance isn't that great is it. It will be ok for Scabs, Dutch Inn etc but not Lancelin. Were u planning on having it in your car?

westozwind

1418 posts

westozwind

WA, 1418 posts

22 Dec 2006 12:12pm

In the car or on the beach. You could use some snaplock bags and padding to carry the receiver and recording device is a backpack and take it with you. I would not be trying any new tricks with this setup on tho...

Zed

1274 posts

Zed

WA, 1274 posts

2 Jan 2007 8:27pm

quote:
Originally posted by westozwind

In the car or on the beach. You could use some snaplock bags and padding to carry the receiver and recording device is a backpack and take it with you. I would not be trying any new tricks with this setup on tho...

Have you got your camera yet? I received mine today, but can't get it to work. I've plugged it into my TV and camcorder and tried tuning it in, but no picture. How have you got on?

Big Al

265 posts

Big Al

WA, 265 posts

3 Jan 2007 9:02am

I think you'll find your camera needs to have a "DV in" mode for the lipstick to work. Most of the cameras that are cheap don't have this function - can't remember why though I think it was something to do with tax & crazy stuff like that.
In regards to getting a waterproof housing for your camera to carry in a backpack you should contack that Kremlin dude as he has a host of solutions for this (pretty good stuff) Our housing has survived some pretty big wipeouts. Good luck.

AB...

Zed

1274 posts

Zed

WA, 1274 posts

3 Jan 2007 10:21am

Mines an expensive camcorder and has an AV mode, it says in the manual that this is what it needs. I'm not sure if this camera I bought is digital or analog. My camcorder is definitely digital, thats what I'm using as the recording device.

TornadoALIVE

NSW

45 posts

TornadoALIVE

NSW, 45 posts

3 Jan 2007 1:41pm

Check out these units.... AUS Web site

ww38.helmetcamera.com.au/XtremekitPlusS.html

They are the size of a lipstick tube and cables run back to a waterproof housing for your handicam (ban keep in small back pack). Exellent for head cam footage or move it around the boat / board. Stick it to the bow, top of the mast, on the boom or on your head for different angles.

Here is some awsome footage I have taken on my boat with a larger unit. I plan to get one of the bullet cams later.

www.formula18alive.com/f18alive.wmv

westozwind

1418 posts

westozwind

WA, 1418 posts

3 Jan 2007 12:21pm

I got my camera yesterday and it works fin. Just need some wind to try it out. Tests last night worked well.
The receiver for the camera is an analogue unit. If you have a DV video camera then it will need to be able to do AV -> DV to record to it.
I assume you have the 9v battery and 1.5v (8 of) AA NON-RECHARGEABLE (Rechargeable AA's are 1.2v so you will need 10 of them) batteries or a 12v power supply to turn on the receiver.
Just plug the video out from the receiver unit into the video in of the telly and then tune the camera in. It's quite a fine adjustment.
Hope this helps

Zed

1274 posts

Zed

WA, 1274 posts

3 Jan 2007 12:29pm

Yeah bought the batteries yesterday, Eveready Heavy Duty.. I might buy some more, maybe thats the problem, but I doubt it.
I think the actually camera might he damaged then. It seems to tune in as it goes from fuzzy to a still black picture like it has picked up reception, but thats it. It doesn't need anything special on the TV just a video in? What TV/camcorder are you using as a recording device? I'm racking my brains trying to think what I could be doing wrong, but it's not rocket science I guess so it must be broken. Had to wait 6 weeks for it as well!

Gonewindsurfing247

966 posts

Gonewindsurfing247

WA, 966 posts

3 Jan 2007 2:16pm

I use the extreme model from www.helmetcam.com.au.

I put the camera in a crush proof otta, put the otta in a camel pack, connect the external camera and away you go.

westozwind

1418 posts

westozwind

WA, 1418 posts

3 Jan 2007 2:32pm

My test was just to plug it into the av in of the telly. Seemed to work fine. Then attached to the dv input of the video camera and turned on the av -> dv converter hit record and recorded 5 or so mins of footage.
I like the idea of wireless. No expensive waterproof cases to carry the recording equipment around in. Even the cabled cams still require a battery. The downside is extra batteries for the reciever, although it will run fine from your car or a transformer.
Wireless does give you the freedom to place the camera in more locations on your rig/board.

Jakub

29 posts

Jakub

WA, 29 posts

3 Jan 2007 6:55pm

I was looking at similar setup: water proof bullet camera with a solid state recorder - records MPEG-4 to SD card. It has no moving parts so less chance of things breaking during a wipe out (I also would like to use it while skiing).

I came across ATC-2000 camera (~~http://www2.oregonscientific.com/shop/product.asp?cid=6&scid=14&pid=709~~). They are available in Australia for 169 AU$ (plus the memory card). It records 640 x 480 @ 30 fps and for me it's a winner: small, light, self contained, no waterproofing or recording device required.

Want to get one for the weekend, no more wearing little waterproof Pentax on the forehead

Zed

1274 posts

Zed

WA, 1274 posts

3 Jan 2007 7:01pm

quote:
Originally posted by westozwind

My test was just to plug it into the av in of the telly. Seemed to work fine. Then attached to the dv input of the video camera and turned on the av -> dv converter hit record and recorded 5 or so mins of footage.
I like the idea of wireless. No expensive waterproof cases to carry the recording equipment around in. Even the cabled cams still require a battery. The downside is extra batteries for the reciever, although it will run fine from your car or a transformer.
Wireless does give you the freedom to place the camera in more locations on your rig/board.

So you only need an AV - DV converter because your camcorder is analog and does not have AV... is that right?

bmanners

40 posts

bmanners

WA, 40 posts

3 Jan 2007 8:28pm

Jakub,

That looks like a really cool camera (inexpensive, small and waterproof - perfect). They say it is 640 x 480 @ 30fps which is good given the package size. They dont say what bit rate it records at however. If you want to buy one get a sample video first so you know what you are getting.

I was looking an SD recorder (~~http://www.techsurveillance.com/products/683.html~~) to record the video from a bullet camera but the image quality just wasn't there. I ended up getting an OSD (www.neurostechnology.com/osd/osd.asp) which is working for me so far (only had it going for about a week). I'd prefer better resolution but that will be very expensive in a small package.

Cheers
brett

TornadoALIVE

NSW

45 posts

TornadoALIVE

NSW, 45 posts

3 Jan 2007 11:12pm

quote:
Originally posted by Jakub

I came across ATC-2000 camera (~~http://www2.oregonscientific.com/shop/product.asp?cid=6&scid=14&pid=709~~). They are available in Australia for 169 AU$ (plus the memory card). It records 640 x 480 @ 30 fps and for me it's a winner: small, light, self contained, no waterproofing or recording device required.

Very good....... Do you know where they are available in Sydney or online in AUS.

Cheers

Jakub

29 posts

Jakub

WA, 29 posts

3 Jan 2007 10:14pm

Try ~~http://www.cameraaction.com.au/products4b.asp?sku=177995&dept=64~~
They are in Melbourne but other Camera House outlets might stock them too.
I rang Cannington (Perth) today and they have them in stock so want to check it out tommorrow. Definitelly would like to see a sample before buying. I hope that will be possible.
Not sure how TV lines (380, 420 etc) resolution compares to 640 x 480 but have some movies shot in 640 x 480 @ 30 fps on digital camera and they look good on TV or monitor.
I think for the price and simplicity it's a no brainer unless the quality is really bad. Use it for a year or two and by then there will better system on the market.

I have been looking into this (on and off) for over a year now and there is lot more choice available now comparing to 18 months ago.

So far I have been using Pentax Optio (waterproof out of the box, 5 Mpx digital still camera), which I strapped to my head. Bit clumsy and the movie resolution is only 320 x 240 but you can still get nice shots. But it doesn't take the bumps too well - strapped it to my knee and went down the South Face of Mt Hutt (NZ) in the winter and the camera seized up.

I had to pull the battery out to get it going again. So I would like to have it as simple (and robust) as possible.

Zed

1274 posts

Zed

WA, 1274 posts

5 Jan 2007 10:11am

quote:
Originally posted by westozwind

I got my camera yesterday and it works fin. Just need some wind to try it out. Tests last night worked well.
The receiver for the camera is an analogue unit. If you have a DV video camera then it will need to be able to do AV -> DV to record to it.
I assume you have the 9v battery and 1.5v (8 of) AA NON-RECHARGEABLE (Rechargeable AA's are 1.2v so you will need 10 of them) batteries or a 12v power supply to turn on the receiver.
Just plug the video out from the receiver unit into the video in of the telly and then tune the camera in. It's quite a fine adjustment.
Hope this helps

Well I finally got it working, I changed the battery for the camera and it worked straight away, despite the fact the previous battery was new. I used a duracell, the old one was everready.

westozwind

1418 posts

westozwind

WA, 1418 posts

5 Jan 2007 10:31am

Glad to hear it's working. Now just got to get out and use it

I would ask for suggestions for mounting locations, but I know what will happen

Have a good weekend on the water

TornadoALIVE

NSW

45 posts

TornadoALIVE

NSW, 45 posts

5 Jan 2007 3:17pm

quote:
Originally posted by Jakub

Try ~~http://www.cameraaction.com.au/products4b.asp?sku=177995&dept=64~~
They are in Melbourne but other Camera House outlets might stock them too.

Thanks mate.... Just ordered one and expect it before next weekend. I'll shoot some headcam footage during next weekends racing and let you guys know how it went. May also attach it to the top of the mast and end of the boom.

Zed

1274 posts

Zed

WA, 1274 posts

5 Jan 2007 8:53pm

quote:
Originally posted by westozwind

Glad to hear it's working. Now just got to get out and use it
I would ask for suggestions for mounting locations, but I know what will happen
Have a good weekend on the water

Used it today. Didnt have time to organise a mounting thingy so just used gaffa tape, which was ok, but will go to bunnings and get some brackets with butterfly nuts. There was one problem, the resulting video was very very white, so white you couldnt really see much. Bit of a worry, I'm guessing there is too much light. I think by getting a piece of tinted monofilm and sticking it on as a type of filter this might help..

Kremlin

418 posts

Kremlin

418 posts

8 Jan 2007 1:14pm

Comrade Zed
It could be that you have an issue with power source (low life batteries) if all you seeing is white noise... this could also be issue with transmitter/receiver set up if he produce white noise when connected
If you were not of seeing this white out when you test on tv monitor the white out should not happen in record mode.
Comrade Jakub

quote:

I came across ATC-2000 camera (~~http://www2.oregonscientific.com/shop/product.asp?cid=6&scid=14&pid=709~~). They are available in Australia for 169 AU$ (plus the memory card). It records 640 x 480 @ 30 fps and for me it's a winner: small, light, self contained, no waterproofing or recording device required.

This camera he look very good but do you know if it is possible for attaching controler to camera ?
By this I meaning LANC controler that allow recording to stop, pause and start ?
I find the waterproof LANC controller very useful.
You simply press button when you wont to be recording. I have camear on helmet or on boom and record button is either on back pack strap (helmet cam) or on Boom for front of boom mounting
This help to reduce amount of tape waste and prolong battery life

Also - anyone wanting to be buying of this camera should read these feedbacks first
helmetcameracentral.com/2006/11/06/oregon-scientific-atc2k-atc-2000-helmet-camera/
The images captured using camera seem very pixelated and is only really usable for playback using of the computer (small window)
Picture quailty is unsuitable for playback on television or dvd.
At end of day you get what you pay for... $169 is very cheap camera = very cheap picture

Jakub

29 posts

Jakub

WA, 29 posts

8 Jan 2007 4:48pm

Zdravstvuj Tovarysc Kremlyn,

Yes, you get what you pay for. The review on helmetcam site is also quite accurate.

I bought the ATC-2000 last Thursday:
It records 640 x 480 @ 30 fps at just under 600 kbps. 320 x 240 @ 30 fps at under 300 kbps. The movies are average quality so you really get what you pay for. The unit is self contained with three buttons at the top. The only connections (hidden under the screw-on cap) are the card slot, USB and TV out. There is no way to connect LANC controller to it. To me it looks like a web cam with a integrated SD card writer in one.

I did few tests at home but did not sail with it yet (I was at Coro's over the weekend and really thought I would have lost it in a crash). I think the big button should be easy to find with your fingers but I see few problems with mounting the thing on your head. The supplied rubber strap did not hold it in place too well. I think it will not keep the camera very steady and the image might be shaky. It will need to be tested out. Good idea might be to use the velcro strap and put it on your wrist or mount it directly on the helmet.

It records to AVI but I'm not sure about what codec it's using. Firstly I had problems connecting the camera to my PC to read the data directly from it (on two different computers). It's not simple plug&play. It keeps wanting to install the drivers, alas no CD is included and Windows update doesn’t know about it. Workaround is to leave the prompt there and go to the Explorer as it "sees" the drive until the driver install fails. Or use a card reader. Might be my PC only though.

I was able to play the files with Windows Media Player but couldn’t import to Adobe Premiere for further editing.

Overall verdict: I guess for $169 it's OK but I wouldn't buy it knowing what I know now. I can post some footage when I have some.

May the Red Star always guide your board.

Jakub

Kremlin

418 posts

Kremlin

418 posts

8 Jan 2007 5:28pm

Comrade Jakub
Uspokysya, vsyo harasho
Vpolne harosho, spasibo. A ty?

I too thought mountings for this camera he notlook very strong.
I make mountings from bike lock.
By this I mean heavy duty plastic connectors used for locking of bike lock to bike when not in use.
The inner diameter this is for perfect fit on lip stick camera... plus there is small bolt/s at top for adjusting of tightness plus there is strong base plate with 2 pre screwed holes for bolts
I have mount for top and side of gath helmet.
I also have mount made for boom and mast made from this bike lock holder I speak of
I post some pictures along with some helmet cam vision when I getting chance for uploading
Mast cam is very much of the shaking as the mast flex is very great... more so then most people realise I think for sure yar
I making my own housings using different componets (lip sticks/lanc controller and waterproof microphone for connection with mini dv.
These I have been using for almost 4 years.
The quality of images is very highest rating for certain.
Do you have helmet already ?
I have some easy modifications for the gath styling of helmet. Only minor drilling and mainly using of the pre-made slots holes gath helmet coming with when buying
THis save lot of time for working out where lipstick must be of pointing for good pictures.
I make mistalke on last trip to Coros and mount lipstick camera with new lower angle lens and bigger zoom in old position. We get many picture of water and feet on board but not any of big jumping and looping madness that was going on about for hope of catching on film !

Udachi i khoroshego nastroeniya!

Kremlin

WindWarrior

NSW

1019 posts

WindWarrior

NSW, 1019 posts

9 Jan 2007 12:18am

We have been using a number of helmet cam systems for a few years to capture footage of our team riders
A small 35 second clip has been uploaded to youtube

The resolution loss is a result of the encoder used by you tube and not a refection of the quality from the lipstick, the actual raw footage is of DVD quality.
The set up is a lipstick camera mounted to a Gath helmet which feeds into a mini dv camera that is fitted into a custom built housing within a super small camel pack back pack. There is also a record button mounted into the strap of the back pack which allows the rider to hit the record button when they are about to do something (saves a great deal of tape along with the time it takes to sort through an hour of tape looking for short action shots)

Hope this is of some help

WindWarrior Australia

Boris

261 posts

Boris

261 posts

9 Jan 2007 10:41am

sounds good Windwarrior, but don't you think that Kremlin dude is full of sh1t?

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